Special projects

Long Island dogs in 2018 Westminster Kennel Club show

Tomi is a 5-year-old show dog who lives with Julia Haight in Hicksville. He has been showing since he was 6 months old, and, as Haight explained on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, she hopes that 2018 will be his year to have success at Westminster. (Credit: Bruce Gilbert)

The 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show sheds a spotlight on almost 3,000 well-bred and groomed canines from around the country — including a number of proud and pampered pooches hailing right from our own backyard.
Among the fast and furry Long Island entrants in this year’s dog show are a German shepherd from Farmingville returning for his third Westminster appearance, a Patchogue-born-and-bred Siberian husky and an Anatolian shepherd from Westbury making her second Westminster appearance.
Here’s a look at eight contenders:

Tomi

Photo Credit: Bruce Gilbert

TomiFormal name: GCH Frerose Tomi Arashi Kage CGCBreed: Shiba inuAge: 5Weight: 25 poundsLI connection: Owner Julia Haight of HicksvilleSocial Media: Tomi has a Facebook page, facebook.com/tomitheherodogFavorite people food: String cheeseBest trick/worst mischief: Tomi spins clockwise and counterclockwise on command. He also jumps over and then walks under Jagger, the family border collie.Act of heroism: Tomi is a lifesaver. One morning in October 2015, Tomi began jumping on Haight until she woke up. The house was on fire, and Tomi saved his family by alerting them to evacuate. For his heroics, Tomi won an award from the New York Knicks, which gave a $2,000 donation in Tomis name to the NYC Shiba Rescue. Tomi appears at adoption and fundraising events for the charity.Showing: 8:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12

Gunnar

Photo Credit: Janice Paolicelli

Gunnar

Formal name CH Ushamwaris Twenty-One GunsBreed: Rhodesian RidgebackAge: 2½Weight: 97 poundsLI Connection: Owners Diana and Stephen Garden of Huntington and breeders Janice and John Paolicelli of Ushamwaris Rhodesian Ridgebacks in Ridge. Janice Paolicelli is also Gunnars handler.Favorite place: Gunnar likes to run around outside with Rose, the familys other Rhodesian Ridgeback.Favorite people food: New York strip steak on the boneBest trick/worst mischief: Gunnar can jump three feet in the air.First showing: 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12

Correction: This is Angel's second appearance at Westminster. An earlier version contained incorrect information.

Fanucci

Photo Credit: S. Condreras

Fanucci (Due to a broken blood vessel in Fanucci's ear, he is no longer competing in this year's Westminster show.)
Dog's name: GCHG CH Stuttgart's Now Don't Refuse Me of MasrockBreed: German shepherdAge: 5Weight: 95 poundsLI connection: Owners Stephanie Schrock, Leslie Dancosse, Autumn Dugan and Susan Condreras, all of Farmingville. Fanucci is a “comeback kid.” He suffered a broken femur (upper leg bone) after he was hit by a car in 2014. Doctors said he would never walk the same again, but he has continued to win accolades at dog shows.Favorite place: Cathedral Pines County Park, Middle IslandFavorite “people” food: SteakBest trick/worst mischief: Taking towels from the bathroom and bringing them outside the house. First showing: 8:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12